Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia passed away at the capital’s Evercare Hospital early Tuesday morning (Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiun). She was 79 years old at the time of her death.
BNP Standing Committee member and Khaleda Zia’s personal physician, Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, confirmed the death. The news was also reported on BNP’s media cell and the party’s verified social media.
Shamsuddin Didar, a member of the BNP Chairperson’s press wing, said that Khaleda Zia was accompanied by her eldest son and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman at the hospital at the time of her death. Apart from this, family members included Dr. Jobaida Rahman, granddaughter Jaima Rahman, Sharmili Rahman Sinthi, younger brother Shamim Eskandar and other relatives. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and members of the medical board involved in the treatment were also present.
Party sources said the schedule for Khaleda Zia’s funeral will be announced later.